[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10857-H10861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT COMMEMORATION ACT
Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 1397) to establish a commission to assist in
commemoration of the centennial of powered flight and the achievements
of the Wright Brothers.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 1397
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Centennial of Flight
Commemoration Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) December 17, 2003, is the 100th anniversary of the
first successful manned, free, controlled, and sustained
flight by a power-driven, heavier-than-air machine;
(2) the first flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright
represents the fulfillment of the age-old dream of flying;
(3) the airplane has dramatically changed the course of
transportation, commerce, communication, and warfare
throughout the world;
(4) the achievement by the Wright brothers stands as a
triumph of American ingenuity, inventiveness, and diligence
in developing new technologies, and remains an inspiration
for all Americans;
(5) it is appropriate to remember and renew the legacy of
the Wright brothers at a time when the values of creativity
and daring represented by the Wright brothers are critical to
the future of the Nation; and
[[Page H10858]]
(6) as the Nation approaches the 100th anniversary of
powered flight, it is appropriate to celebrate and
commemorate the centennial year through local, national, and
international observances and activities.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the
Centennial of Flight Commission.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be
composed of 6 members, as follows:
(1) The Director of the National Air and Space Museum of
the Smithsonian Institution or his designee.
(2) The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration or his designee.
(3) The chairman of the First Flight Centennial Foundation
of North Carolina, or his designee.
(4) The chairman of the 2003 Committee of Ohio, or his
designee.
(5) As chosen by the Commission, the president or head of a
United States aeronautical society, foundation, or
organization of national stature or prominence who will be a
person from a State other than Ohio or North Carolina.
(6) The Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration, or his designee.
(b) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall be
filled in the same manner in which the original designation
was made.
(c) Compensation.--
(1) Prohibition of pay.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2), members of the Commission shall serve without pay or
compensation.
(2) Travel expenses.--The Commission may adopt a policy,
only by unanimous vote, for members of the Commission and
related advisory panels to receive travel expenses, including
per diem in lieu of subsistence. The policy may not exceed
the levels established under sections 5702 and 5703 of title
5, United States Code. Members who are Federal employees
shall not receive travel expenses if otherwise reimbursed by
the Federal Government.
(d) Quorum.--Three members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum.
(e) Chairperson.--The Commission shall select a Chairperson
of the Commission from the members designated under
subsection (a) (1), (2), or (5). The Chairperson may not vote
on matters before the Commission except in the case of a tie
vote. The Chairperson may be removed by a vote of a majority
of the Commission's members.
(f) Organization.--No later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall meet and select a
Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Executive Director.
SEC. 5. DUTIES.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall--
(1) represent the United States and take a leadership role
with other nations in recognizing the importance of aviation
history in general and the centennial of powered flight in
particular, and promote participation by the United States in
such activities;
(2) encourage and promote national and international
participation and sponsorships in commemoration of the
centennial of powered flight by persons and entities such
as--
(A) aerospace manufacturing companies;
(B) aerospace-related military organizations;
(C) workers employed in aerospace-related industries;
(D) commercial aviation companies;
(E) general aviation owners and pilots;
(F) aerospace researchers, instructors, and enthusiasts;
(G) elementary, secondary, and higher educational
institutions;
(H) civil, patriotic, educational, sporting, arts,
cultural, and historical organizations and technical
societies;
(I) aerospace-related museums; and
(J) State and local governments;
(3) plan and develop, in coordination with the First Flight
Centennial Commission, the First Flight Centennial Foundation
of North Carolina, and the 2003 Committee of Ohio, programs
and activities that are appropriate to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of powered flight;
(4) maintain, publish, and distribute a calendar or
register of national and international programs and projects
concerning, and provide a central clearinghouse for,
information and coordination regarding, dates, events, and
places of historical and commemorative significance regarding
aviation history in general and the centennial of powered
flight in particular;
(5) provide national coordination for celebration dates to
take place throughout the United States during the centennial
year;
(6) assist in conducting educational, civic, and
commemorative activities relating to the centennial of
powered flight throughout the United States, especially
activities that occur in the States of North Carolina and
Ohio and that highlight the activities of the Wright brothers
in such States; and
(7) encourage the publication of popular and scholarly
works related to the history of aviation or the anniversary
of the centennial of powered flight.
(b) Nonduplication of Activities.--The Commission shall
attempt to plan and conduct its activities in such a manner
that activities conducted pursuant to this Act enhance, but
do not duplicate, traditional and established activities of
Ohio's 2003 Committee, North Carolina's First Flight
Centennial Commission, the First Flight Centennial
Foundation, or any other organization of national stature or
prominence.
SEC. 6. POWERS.
(a) Advisory Committees and Task Forces.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may appoint any advisory
committee or task force from among the membership of the
Advisory Board in section 12.
(2) Federal cooperation.--To ensure the overall success of
the Commission's efforts, the Commission may call upon
various Federal departments and agencies to assist in and
give support to the programs of the Commission. The head of
the Federal department or agency, where appropriate, shall
furnish the information or assistance requested by the
Commission, unless prohibited by law.
(3) Prohibition of pay other than travel expenses.--Members
of an advisory committee or task force authorized under
paragraph (1) shall not receive pay, but may receive travel
expenses pursuant to the policy adopted by the Commission
under section 4(c)(2).
(b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of
the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any
action that the Commission is authorized to take under this
Act.
(c) Authority To Procure and To Make Legal Agreements.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision in
this Act, only the Commission may procure supplies, services,
and property, and make or enter into leases and other legal
agreements in order to carry out this Act.
(2) Restriction.--
(A) In general.--A contract, lease, or other legal
agreement made or entered into by the Commission may not
extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commission.
(B) Federal support.--The Commission shall obtain property,
equipment, and office space from the General Services
Administration or the Smithsonian Institution, unless other
office space, property, or equipment is less costly.
(3) Supplies and property possessed by commission at
termination.--Any supplies and property, except historically
significant items, that are acquired by the Commission under
this Act and remain in the possession of the Commission on
the date of the termination of the Commission shall become
the property of the General Services Administration upon the
date of termination.
(d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails
in the same manner and under the same conditions as any other
Federal agency.
SEC. 7. STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
(a) Executive Director.--There shall be an Executive
Director appointed by the Commission and chosen from among
detailees from the agencies and organizations represented on
the Commission. The Executive Director may be paid at a rate
not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay payable for the
Senior Executive Service.
(b) Staff.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of
any additional personnel that it considers appropriate,
except that an individual appointed under this subsection may
not receive pay in excess of the maximum rate of basic pay
payable for GS-14 of the General Schedule.
(c) Inapplicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The
Executive Director and staff of the Commission may be
appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United
States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title,
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates,
except as provided under subsections (a) and (b) of this
section.
(d) Merit System Principles.--The appointment of the
Executive Director or any personnel of the Commission under
subsection (a) or (b) shall be made consistent with the merit
system principles under section 2301 of title 5, United
States Code.
(e) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request by the
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of any Federal
department or agency may detail, on either a nonreimbursable
or reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the department
or agency to the Commission to assist the Commission to carry
out its duties under this Act.
(f) Administrative Support Services.--
(1) Reimbursable services.--The Secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution may provide to the Commission on a
reimbursable basis any administrative support services that
are necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act.
(2) Nonreimbursable services.--The Secretary may provide
administrative support services to the Commission on a
nonreimbursable basis when, in the opinion of the Secretary,
the value of such services is insignificant or not practical
to determine.
(g) Cooperative Agreements.--The Commission may enter into
cooperative agreements with other Federal agencies, State and
local governments, and private interests and organizations
that will contribute to public awareness of and interest in
the centennial of powered flight and toward furthering the
goals and purposes of this Act.
(h) Program Support.--The Commission may receive program
support from the non-profit sector.
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SEC. 8. CONTRIBUTIONS.
(a) Donations.--The Commission may accept donations of
personal services and historic materials relating to the
implementation of its responsibilities under the provisions
of this Act.
(b) Volunteer Services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of
title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and
use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission
determines necessary.
(c) Remaining Funds.--Any funds (including funds received
from licensing royalties) remaining with the Commission on
the date of the termination of the Commission may be used to
ensure proper disposition, as specified in the final report
required under section 10(b), of historically significant
property which was donated to or acquired by the Commission.
Any funds remaining after such disposition shall be
transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit into
the general fund of the Treasury of the United States.
SEC. 9. EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO NAME, LOGOS, EMBLEMS, SEALS, AND
MARKS.
(a) In General.--The Commission may devise any logo,
emblem, seal, or descriptive or designating mark that is
required to carry out its duties or that it determines is
appropriate for use in connection with the commemoration of
the centennial of powered flight.
(b) Licensing.--The Commission shall have the sole and
exclusive right to use, or to allow or refuse the use of, the
name ``Centennial of Flight Commission'' on any logo, emblem,
seal, or descriptive or designating mark that the Commission
lawfully adopts.
(c) Effect on Other Rights.--No provision of this section
may be construed to conflict or interfere with established or
vested rights.
(d) Use of Funds.--Funds from licensing royalties received
pursuant to this section shall be used by the Commission to
carry out the duties of the Commission specified by this Act.
(e) Licensing Rights.--All exclusive licensing rights,
unless otherwise specified, shall revert to the Air and Space
Museum of the Smithsonian Institution upon termination of the
Commission.
SEC. 10. REPORTS.
(a) Annual Report.--In each fiscal year in which the
Commission is in existence, the Commission shall prepare and
submit to Congress a report describing the activities of the
Commission during the fiscal year. Each annual report shall
also include--
(1) recommendations regarding appropriate activities to
commemorate the centennial of powered flight, including--
(A) the production, publication, and distribution of books,
pamphlets, films, and other educational materials;
(B) bibliographical and documentary projects and
publications;
(C) conferences, convocations, lectures, seminars, and
other similar programs;
(D) the development of exhibits for libraries, museums, and
other appropriate institutions;
(E) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific
events that relate to the history of aviation;
(F) programs focusing on the history of aviation and its
benefits to the United States and humankind; and
(G) competitions, commissions, and awards regarding
historical, scholarly, artistic, literary, musical, and other
works, programs, and projects related to the centennial of
powered flight;
(2) recommendations to appropriate agencies or advisory
bodies regarding the issuance of commemorative coins, medals,
and stamps by the United States relating to aviation or the
centennial of powered flight;
(3) recommendations for any legislation or administrative
action that the Commission determines to be appropriate
regarding the commemoration of the centennial of powered
flight;
(4) an accounting of funds received and expended by the
Commission in the fiscal year that the report concerns,
including a detailed description of the source and amount of
any funds donated to the Commission in the fiscal year; and
(5) an accounting of any cooperative agreements and
contract agreements entered into by the Commission.
(b) Final Report.--Not later than June 30, 2004, the
Commission shall submit to the President and Congress a final
report. The final report shall contain--
(1) a summary of the activities of the Commission;
(2) a final accounting of funds received and expended by
the Commission;
(3) any findings and conclusions of the Commission; and
(4) specific recommendations concerning the final
disposition of any historically significant items acquired by
the Commission, including items donated to the Commission
under section 8(a)(1).
SEC. 11. AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Audit.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall audit on an annual basis the financial transactions of
the Commission, including financial transactions involving
donated funds, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.
(2) Access.--In conducting an audit under this section, the
Comptroller General--
(A) shall have access to all books, accounts, financial
records, reports, files, and other papers, items, or property
in use by the Commission, as necessary to facilitate the
audit; and
(B) shall be afforded full facilities for verifying the
financial transactions of the Commission, including access to
any financial records or securities held for the Commission
by depositories, fiscal agents, or custodians.
(b) Final Report.--Not later than September 30, 2004, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
President and to Congress a report detailing the results of
any audit of the financial transactions of the Commission
conducted by the Comptroller General.
SEC. 12. ADVISORY BOARD.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a First Flight
Centennial Federal Advisory Board.
(b) Number and Appointment.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall be composed of 19 members
as follows:
(A) The Secretary of the Interior, or the designee of the
Secretary.
(B) The Librarian of Congress, or the designee of the
Librarian.
(C) The Secretary of the Air Force, or the designee of the
Secretary.
(D) The Secretary of the Navy, or the designee of the
Secretary.
(E) The Secretary of Transportation, or the designee of the
Secretary.
(F) Six citizens of the United States, appointed by the
President, who--
(i) are not officers or employees of any government (except
membership on the Board shall not be construed to apply to
the limitation under this clause); and
(ii) shall be selected based on their experience in the
fields of aerospace history, science, or education, or their
ability to represent the entities enumerated under section
5(a)(2).
(G) Four citizens of the United States, appointed by the
majority leader of the Senate in consultation with the
minority leader of the Senate.
(H) Four citizens of the United States, appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation with
the minority leader of the House of Representatives. Of the
individuals appointed under this subparagraph--
(i) one shall be selected from among individuals
recommended by the representative whose district encompasses
the Wright Brothers National Memorial; and
(ii) one shall be selected from among individuals
recommended by the representatives whose districts encompass
any part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical
Park.
(c) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Advisory Board shall be
filled in the same manner in which the original designation
was made.
(d) Meetings.--Seven members of the Advisory Board shall
constitute a quorum for a meeting. All meetings shall be open
to the public.
(e) Chairperson.--The President shall designate 1 member
appointed under subsection (b)(1)(F) as chairperson of the
Advisory Board.
(f) Mails.--The Advisory Board may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as a
Federal agency.
(g) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall advise the Commission
on matters related to this Act.
(h) Prohibition of Compensation Other Than Travel
Expenses.--Members of the Advisory Board shall not receive
pay, but may receive travel expenses pursuant to the policy
adopted by the Commission under section 4(e).
(i) Termination.--The Advisory Board shall terminate upon
the termination of the Commission.
SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) The term ``Advisory Board'' means the Centennial of
Flight Federal Advisory Board.
(2) The term ``centennial of powered flight'' means the
anniversary year, from December 2002 to December 2003,
commemorating the 100-year history of aviation beginning with
the First Flight and highlighting the achievements of the
Wright brothers in developing the technologies which have led
to the development of aviation as it is known today.
(3) The term ``Commission'' means the Centennial of Flight
Commission.
(4) The term ``designee'' means a person from the
respective entity of each entity represented on the
Commission or Advisory Board.
(5) The term ``First Flight'' means the first four
successful manned, free, controlled, and sustained flights by
a power-driven, heavier-than-air machine, which were
accomplished by Orville and Wilbur Wright of Dayton, Ohio on
December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
SEC. 14. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than 60 days after
the submission of the final report required by section 10(b)
and shall transfer all documents and material to the National
Archives or other appropriate Federal entity.
SEC. 15. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
Act $250,000 for fiscal year 1999, $600,000 for fiscal year
2000, $750,000 for fiscal year 2001, $900,000 for fiscal year
2002, $900,000 for fiscal year 2003, and $600,000 for fiscal
year 2004.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
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New Jersey (Mr. Pappas) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pappas).
General Leave
Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1397.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, this bill creates a commission to recognize the
centennial of the first flight. The achievement of the Wright Brothers,
Wilbur and Orville, began an era of unprecedented change. Since those
few historic seconds on the dunes at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina,
American industry has developed the powered aircraft into a major
commercial industry, a vital instrument of our national defense, and a
precursor to our efforts to ascend to the outer reaches of space.
{time} 1215
Because these sons of an Ohio preacher had the initiative and
ambition to build beyond the bicycle repair shop that they ran in
Dayton, Ohio, we benefit from faster transportation around the world, a
more mobile society, and an export industry that extends our economic
leadership around the globe.
The first flight marked the opening of the 20th century, and the
Federal Government has played a major role in all aviation development
during this century. The Wright Brothers developed many of their
heavier airplanes as a result of research contracts from the Department
of the Army.
The Postal Service supported the development of commercial aviation
by supporting pilots who flew the mail. Federal agencies developed
within the Department of Commerce to provide certification for the
airworthiness of airplanes, and to chart the airways and navigational
aids that now comprise our national system of airports and airways.
The aviation industry is one of the finest demonstrations of
effective partnership of industry and government, so it is entirely
fitting that we end this century and enter the 21st century by
recognizing the achievement at its beginnings. I urge all Members to
support this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, this bill will establish a commission to commemorate
the centennial of powered flight, and the achievements of the Wright
Brothers. Wilbur and Orville Wright manned the first successful
controlled and sustained powered flight. The Wright Brothers,
originally bicycle store owners from Dayton, Ohio, moved to Kitty Hawk,
North Carolina for the hills, the strong and steady winds, and soft
sandy ground, essential ingredients for successful flight.
They went back to Dayton and built a 6-foot wind tunnel to conduct
experiments with over 200 different wing models. They developed the
first reliable tables on the effects of air pressure on curved
surfaces, the principles that we use today and that we see on every
airplane.
In 1903 the Wright Brothers completed the construction of a larger
plane powered by their own lightweight gas-powered engine, and returned
to Kitty Hawk. On December 17th, 1903, four men and a boy witnessed the
first flight, a flight which dramatically changed the course of
transportation, commerce, communication, and warfare throughout the
world.
Madam Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).
Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for New Jersey for
yielding me this time.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Centennial of Flight
Commemorative Act, Senate bill 1397, introduced by Senator Jesse Helms.
This bipartisan bill calls for the establishment of a Federal
Commission to help coordinate the national celebration of the 100th
anniversary of the Wright Brothers historic 1903 flight at Kitty Hawk,
North Carolina.
The national celebration will focus on Kitty Hawk in Dayton, Ohio,
where the Wright Brothers did much of their early work in the field of
aviation. As the Member who represents Kitty Hawk, I have been honored
to be part of this bipartisan group, including Senator Helms, Senator
John Glenn, and my friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tony Hall), as
we proceed with the national and international celebration of flight.
As the year 2003 anniversary quickly moves closer, the Centennial of
Flight Commission will help coordinate the planning at the national and
international level. Operations in North Carolina and Ohio have begun
planning this celebration.
The Commission will work with local organizations, such as the First
Flight Centennial Commission and the First Flight Centennial Foundation
in planning and developing programs and activities to commemorate the
100th anniversary of flight. Even the National Air and Space Museum,
the Library of Congress, and NASA have joined in the planning to help
celebrate one of the greatest innovations the world has ever witnessed.
Additional participation in national and international commemorative
activities by aviation-related organizations, industries, and
educational institutions is expected.
I believe passage of this bill to be a fitting tribute to Senator
John Glenn as he prepares to make history in the next few weeks. I hope
my colleagues will join the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) and myself
in supporting this legislation.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I congratulate the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Jones) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) for this bipartisan piece
of legislation. They were the sponsors of the House version, and we
just heard the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) eloquently
talk about the significance of this legislation and the significance of
the Wright Brothers, and what part they played in our Nation's history.
We now would like to hear from the distinguished gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Hall) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones). The Ohio
link, of course, is the fact that the Wright Brothers are from Ohio.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Tony Hall).
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from
Maryland for yielding me the time, and for his excellent remarks. I
want to join my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Jones) certainly in support of Senate bill 1397.
Madam Speaker, this bill will establish a Commission to coordinate
and assist the Nation's celebration in the year 2003 of the 100th
anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight.
I am excited, because I represent the home of the Wright Brothers,
Dayton, Ohio, so this is an especially exciting bill for us to have,
and I am so glad to join with our colleagues in the Senate.
This is similar to other commissions created in honor of the
anniversaries of the American Revolution, adoption of the U.S.
Constitution, and other pivotal events in our history. The conquest of
flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright is one of mankind's greatest
triumphs of invention. To understand their place in American history,
one has only to look up at the frieze in the rotunda of this building
and see the image of the two brothers in Dayton, Ohio, and the plane
they flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The invention of the airplane
has changed our lives and captured our imagination. The 100th
anniversary of that achievement will be a time for a national
celebration, not only in Ohio and North Carolina, but all across
America.
The Commission created by this legislation will assist that
celebration by serving as a national clearinghouse of information about
events. This legislation will coordinate private groups, the
[[Page H10861]]
National Air and Space Museum, Federal agencies, which could have a
role in the celebration, including the National Park Service, the
Library of Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, the Air
Force, and the Navy.
Madam Speaker, the Commission will work with international
organizations and foreign governments celebrating the centennial of
flight. Finally, the legislation will provide the highest stature
possible for the celebration through the symbolic backing of the
President, the Congress, and the Federal Government.
Senate bill 1397 is the Senate version of H.R. 2305, a bill that I
introduced with my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Jones) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson). It is sponsored or
cosponsored by 33 Members, including most of the Ohio and North
Carolina delegations.
Earlier this year, the House passed the Centennial of Flight Act as
part of H.R. 4057. However, because final passage of that bill is
uncertain, I ask my colleagues again to approve this measure.
Madam Speaker, I certainly want to thank my principal cosponsor, the
chief sponsor of the bill, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Jones), and certainly my other Ohio colleague, the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Dave Hobson), for their great support and pushing and great work
behind the scenes in making this happen.
The measure, which was cosponsored by Senator John Glenn, will
probably be his last bill enacted into law. John Glenn could have
retired into history after becoming the first American to orbit the
Earth in 1962. However, he chose to continue to serve his country as a
United States Senator for 24 years. Now he has chosen to make one last
flight as the oldest man in space.
Passage of this bill to celebrate the first 100 years of aviation is
a fitting tribute to a man who has been so much a part of that history.
John Glenn continues in the tradition of the Wright Brothers as one of
the great pioneers of air and space. God speed, John Glenn.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, it is interesting that the Wright Brothers are two
brothers that I talk about often in speeches to young people when I
talk about the misfits of life. Misfits. I tell a little story that
there was once a gentleman who had come home from war, and he was
marching down Pennsylvania Avenue with the troops, and his mother came
out with a friend. The mother said, look at my son. Look how great he
is. And so the friend says, he does not look too great to me. He is out
of step. And the mother said, that is why he is so great.
The Wright Brothers are misfits. They are wonderful misfits. I can
imagine that when they went around and said one day that man would be
able to fly around in a piece of metal, folk looked at them as if they
were crazy. But the fact is that they were misfits. They believed in
what could be done. They could not see it, but they knew it. So today
this legislation is very significant to commemorate two great misfits,
folks who believed what others could not see.
Madam Speaker, I would urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of
this very important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pappas) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1397.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof), the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________